Report: Rob Gronkowski May Need Back Surgery

New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski got some good news regarding his broken forearm recently. He may be about to receive some more bad news, that could be critical to the Patriots 2013 season.

The New England Patriots’ tight end recently underwent an MRI on his back to check on a disc issue he had dating back to last season, a person informed of Gronkowski’s medical status told USA TODAY Sports.

The source did not want to be revealed, because of the Patriots’ policy of not publicly detailing injuries. The source also said the issue is with a different disc and not the one that gave him problems coming out of college.

Gronkowski need to have a disc shaved down via surgery 2009.

A final decision on whether surgery will be required has not yet been made. The person said Gronkowski will see noted spine specialist Robert Watkins in the near future, and not until he has surgery to install a new plate into his forearm.

The source also said the Patriots were optimistic Gronkowski would be ready for training camp.